REXBURG—The summer marks the busiest season for Downtown Driggs Association as they offer free concerts, a plein air festival and Shakespeare in the Park.
Downtown Driggs Association is a private nonprofit organization that runs events all year long. Teddy Nichols, the events and outreach manager of Downtown Driggs Association, said the community really comes together through these events.
“Our mission as Downtown Driggs is to promote a vibrant and thriving Downtown Driggs through free arts and cultural events,” Nichols said.
The Downtown Sounds Concert Series starts June 5 and runs through September providing eight free concerts by artists, both local and touring groups. Most concerts are held on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hear live music from Easy Chair, Will Baxter Band, Death and Taxes Swing Band, Paige & The People’s Band, Strings & Arias, Aaron Ashton Band, the High Plain Drifters and Yellow Dog String Band.
“We have a very nice mix of generations of people just getting together and having the shared experience of listening to music on a nice summer evening,” Nichols said.
This is Driggs 15th annual Plein Air Festival. Plein air, Nichols explains, is simply painting outdoors in real time.
“Artists from across the country that will be coming to compete in a week-long event where they can paint within Teton Valley and sell their artwork here in downtown Driggs,” Nichols said.
It encourages high-caliber artists, especially with this marking its second with a jury process, to apply. Registered artists will paint between July 22 and Aug. 1. Sign up soon for a workshop with renowned artists Kathryn Stats and John Lintott.
Public festival dates are July 26 to August 1, where the public can buy the art created by the artists. Nichols suggested the community attend the Paint-Out at Targhee on July 27 and take the chairlift to see the artists from above as they paint.
Shakespeare in The Park is a partnered event with Montana State University. This year it will feature “Much Ado About Nothing” on July 29 at 6 p.m. The free event is on the Teton County Courthouse lawn in Driggs.
Nichols said the group puts on about 80 shows in the mountain west area.
“So, they are just on a mission to spread Shakespeare throughout the region, and they will stop through here for one night and do a play for us,” Nichols said.
The play is put on outside which creates a unique way for the public to experience Shakespeare.
“I think it makes Shakespeare feel more relaxed and accessible,” Nichols said.
To learn more about Downtown Driggs Association and their summer events go to downtowndriggs.org.
To learn about more events in Teton Valley go to welcometetonvalley.org.